Concerns About ALS? A 25-Year-Old's Experience
At just 25 years old, I find myself grappling with several troubling symptoms, including widespread twitching across my body, a tremor in my left arm, and what appears to be muscle atrophy in that same arm. My grandmother was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 60, and I've begun to notice that my left arm has seemed smaller for the past few years, although I initially brushed it off as nothing serious. I consulted both a neurologist and my primary care physician, who both performed neurological exams that yielded normal results. Additionally, my blood tests did not reveal any abnormalities, with my creatine kinase (CK) levels at the low end of the spectrum, measured at 66, suggesting minimal muscle breakdown. Interestingly, no other family members have been diagnosed with this condition; my grandmother had three children, all in their 50s, who show no symptoms of ALS. However, my great-grandmother did succumb to dementia at 88. The neurologist, whose specialty is in tremors (leading me to question the accuracy of his conclusions), and my primary care physician both seem to believe ALS is not a concern for me. This wave of symptoms began after I experienced significant stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep during the birth of my child. Following this, my doctor prescribed Lexapro, and within nine days, I noticed that twitching had escalated throughout my body. A year ago, I struggled with severe soreness in my legs and cramps in my feet but attributed these issues to my job. Additionally, I have a peculiar sensation of clicking when I swallow at specific angles, and I've observed that the back of my throat appears uneven, a change I've noticed for approximately three years now, despite doctors assuring me that this is normal. I'm contemplating whether I should advocate for further evaluations or referrals to specialists. My neurologist chose not to conduct an electromyogram (EMG), and my primary care doctor advised against it. It's been two months since these symptoms began, and the emotional toll is affecting my family as well. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from others regarding my situation.
Answers (1)
2/16/2026, 6:50:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience and concerns. It’s understandable to feel worried when facing troubling symptoms, especially with a family history of ALS. However, it’s reassuring that both your neurologist and primary care physician found no immediate signs suggesting ALS based on their examinations and tests.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms may stem from anxiety and stress rather than ALS.
- Continued communication with healthcare providers is essential.
- Self-care strategies can help manage your symptoms and emotional well-being.
Explanation:
Twitching, muscle atrophy, and tremors can be alarming symptoms, especially considering your family history. However, the fact that your neurological exams and blood tests were normal suggests that more common causes might be at play. Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can lead to muscle twitching and other physical symptoms. The fact that your symptoms escalated after significant stress further supports this idea.
Your healthcare providers have assessed the potential for ALS and decided against an EMG, which typically assesses muscle and nerve function. While it’s understandable to want more answers, their professional judgment indicates that the symptoms you are experiencing might not be related to a severe neurological condition.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms. Note when they occur, their intensity, and any potential triggers (like stress or sleep). This can help identify patterns over time.
-
Stress Management: Engage in self-care activities that promote relaxation, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle yoga. Reducing stress can help alleviate some symptoms.
-
Follow Up with Your Doctor: Consider scheduling a follow-up appointment to discuss your ongoing concerns. You might express a need for reassurance or further evaluations. It can be helpful to discuss how the anxiety surrounding these symptoms is impacting your life.
-
Seek Support: Engage with a support group or a therapist who specializes in anxiety management. This can provide emotional support, and talking things through may help clarify your concerns.
-
Request a Second Opinion (if needed): If your anxiety persists despite following these steps and you feel that your concerns haven't been adequately addressed, consider seeking a second opinion from another neurologist. Make sure to direct your questions towards specific symptoms you want evaluated.
Please remember that while it's important to be vigilant about your health, many conditions can present with similar symptoms without being serious. You're taking the right steps by consulting healthcare professionals, and prioritizing your mental health is just as important as addressing physical symptoms.
Related Questions
Tiny Painless Bump Beneath Right Ear
I'm a 28-year-old male weighing 120 pounds and in good health with no ongoing medical issues. Recently, I discovered a small, movable bump located beneath my right ear. It isn’t causing any discomfort and doesn’t interfere with my everyday activities. Does anyone have insights on what this might be?
Strategies for Coping with Visual Disturbances
**Introduction:** 28-year-old female, standing at 5’7” and weighing 120 lbs (not the bravest when it comes to health issues!). I have celiac disease, which is under control with a rigorous gluten-free diet (diagnosed with a Marsh score of 3-4). Additionally, I manage hypothyroidism with 88mcg of levothyroxine. I've been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, and I experience bilateral ulnar and carpal tunnel syndrome as well as small fiber neuropathy, all of which I control by taking carbamazepine 200 mg twice daily. I deal with Raynaud's phenomenon through the use of pentoxifylline 400 mg twice daily and applying a 2% nitroglycerin topical ointment once a day. I also take Escitalopram 10 mg daily, Estarylla oral contraceptive daily, and Linzess 290 mcg once daily due to chronic constipation related to my celiac condition. Also, there’s an unclear autoimmune condition—doctors suspect scleroderma, but I don't yet meet the full criteria for a diagnosis. **Current Experience:** For the last two and a half weeks, I have been dealing with persistent visual disturbances that seem to occur continuously. These issues manifest as visual static, floaters—including both translucent and colorful spots—blurriness, and increased sensitivity to light. My first thought was that this might be an aura related to migraine episodes, which are quite infrequent for me (approximately once or twice a year without aura), but the disturbances haven’t subsided. **Additional Information:** Although I can still read (surprisingly!), it has become quite challenging. Focusing on specific objects, especially letters, has proven difficult—having white text on a black background is somewhat easier. Scanning my environment feels less taxing than focusing directly on individual items. I no longer drive during nighttime or early mornings due to significantly heightened blurriness in low light conditions; I struggle to read license plates and the oncoming headlights block much of my peripheral view. I've been in corrective lenses for a quarter of a century, with a consistent prescription for the last decade. According to my eye specialist, my eyes are structurally sound, and the prescription remains stable. I underwent an MRI at the request of my neurologist and am awaiting a full report, as there is a noted 'spot' in my cerebellum/occipital lobe. I might also be referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist for further evaluation. While I try to manage these symptoms, they do disrupt my daily life to some extent. I admit I can be dramatic about discomfort, but after hours spent reading, writing, and coping with bright light in conjunction with blurriness and static spots at work, it can become exhausting. To add to the challenge, I’m also navigating grad school! To ease the strain, I’ve been attempting to take it easy at home—minimizing screen time, keeping lighting softer and warmer, opting for glasses instead of contacts, donning migraine glasses when working or in bright environments, staying hydrated, and ensuring I get ample rest. Nevertheless, I often feel overwhelmed by it all. It’s frustrating, and admittedly, it’s wearing on my nerves.
Persistent Air Sensation in the Chest
Several years ago, I was involved in a car crash that has left me with a puzzling issue. During the incident, the airbag failed to activate, leading to repeated impacts from the steering wheel against my head, and possibly even my chest, given my petite frame at the time. Recently, I've been experiencing a peculiar sensation in my chest, as if my lungs or another part of that region is retaining extra air. This trapped air tends to 'hiss' out intermittently when I engage in speaking or singing. Is there a medical explanation for this condition? Does it have a specific name?
Seeking Guidance on an Elusive Medical Condition and Treatment Options
Hello, r/AskDocs, I am a 24-year-old male who has been enduring a set of perplexing symptoms since 2020, and I find myself feeling overwhelmed and frustrated in my quest to reclaim my life. Despite having tried more than 15 different medications—spanning psychiatric and neurological categories—along with treatments such as TMS, SGB shots, and plasmapheresis, I have yet to experience any noticeable improvement. I possess some intriguing clinical findings that have academic support, but they haven’t led to any definitive diagnosis. My primary goal is to collaborate with a doctor who genuinely takes my concerns seriously, as I prioritize finding a comprehensive treatment strategy over obtaining specific labels. **Personal Information** - Age: 24 years - Height: 170 cm - Weight: 68 kg - Duration of Symptoms: 6+ years - Alcohol Use: Rarely - Smoking: Rarely - Drug Use: None - Current Location: Israel **Medications**: - Minocycline (100 mg twice daily) - Clonidine (0.2 mg patch) - Low-Dose Naltrexone (1.5 mg) **Symptoms Currently Experienced**: - Persistent disturbances in vision, including: - Visual flatness - Blurriness - Issues with depth perception - Afterimages and night blindness - Visual sparks reminiscent of Blue Field Entoptic Phenomenon, alongside floaters, although two ophthalmologists assessed my vision as normal - Feelings of dizziness, confusion, and trouble with balance - Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) - Sensitivity to cold and episodes of shaking - Instability upon standing after prolonged sitting - Burning sensations akin to “chapped lips” in various areas, waking me from sleep - Intermittent tingling and numbness, particularly in pelvic regions - Sleep issues including insomnia and fragmented rest (averaging under 7 hours) - General malaise and post-exertional crashes that are mental and physical - Anhedonia (lack of pleasure) - Sensitivities to chemicals - Migrating dull pains across pelvis, hips, chest, ribs, spine, and tailbone - OCD and tics - Cognitive impairment and brain fog - Head pressure along with headaches - Inability to experience typical effects from alcohol - Food intolerances—certain dishes, like hot pot, consistently trigger flare-ups - Reduced appetite and thirst becoming more pronounced when symptoms intensify - Unexplained activation of the fight-or-flight response - Episodes of sensory overload, irritability, and discomfort - Severe hypersensitivity to prescribed medications, particularly psychological agents - Complete sexual dysfunction, including absence of nocturnal penile tumescence - Distress upon waking, characterized by discomfort - Difficulty recovering from stress - Heightened awareness of symptoms and surroundings - Flulike malaise without actual illness - Ongoing gastrointestinal issues, including hemorrhoids - Symptoms cyle through waves, with continuous struggles—no days free from symptoms. While the triggers remain largely enigmatic, indications do not support a psychological origin; emerging evidence may suggest an autoimmune or inflammatory process. **Current Diagnoses**: - Orthostatic Tachycardia - OCD - Suspected Autoimmune Dysautonomia and Long Covid (As per a private clinic physician) **Background Information**: At age 11, I experienced a rapid onset of depression over a span of fewer than four weeks, soon followed by significant anxiety and symptoms aligned with the OCD spectrum. This episode coincided with a family member suffering septic shock due to Strep A, leading to a serious yet non-emergency illness for me. Notably, my Strep A autoantibody levels remain alarmingly elevated, raising the possibility of PANDAS involvement. When I reached age 13, I was prescribed low-dose Abilify for my earlier issues, which subsequently resulted in a persistent tic disorder. My adolescent years brought waves of anxiety and depression, often leading to inconsistent use of low-dose antipsychotics and SSRIs. During this time, I experienced declining libido and emotional dullness. A challenging phase unfolded around ages 17-18 (2020) when I engaged in substance misuse (including cannabis, nicotine, stimulants, and alcohol), acted recklessly, and coped with chronic stress. This culminated in a severe depressive state, amplifying my previously undiagnosed OCD. However, I have maintained sobriety for a significant duration now, which I’m proud of. By late 2020, I began to recognize the symptoms that persist today: anhedonia, brain fog, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and an inability to feel the effects of alcohol. Initially attributing my condition solely to psychiatric issues, I tried multiple medications such as Wellbutrin, Prozac, TMS, and Citalopram, but faced adverse reactions or ineffective results. In the years 2023-2024, I attempted finasteride but could not tolerate it, culminating in aggravated sexual dysfunction and mood fluctuations. By 2024, I woke up with a constellation of new symptoms, including severe brain fog, visual disturbances, sensitivity to food and chemicals, and a heightened inability to handle medication, even at minimal doses. Although these symptoms improved gradually over the subsequent two years, I still battle against recurring flare-ups. Currently, I find it incredibly challenging to forge and maintain friendships, develop hobbies, or pursue educational and work opportunities. Marriage is a future aspiration, but my sexual dysfunction has hindered dating experiences. Nevertheless, I managed to complete my university studies, which I consider a notable achievement. Regrettably, I feel my life is more of a series of difficulties rather than fulfilling moments because of these persistent issues. Despite the extensive range of treatments, the side effects have often been perplexing and distressing, including exacerbated visual disturbances, intrusive thoughts, and other cautionary responses. The treatments that had any positive impact included: 1. Cyproheptadine (2 mg twice daily)—beneficial for sexual dysfunction but led to increased OCD and brain fog. 2. Changes in sleep patterns (jet lag) can temporarily ease sexual dysfunction but also lead to fluctuating symptoms. 3. Clonazepam provided some relief for emotional ups and downs and minor visual disturbances. 4. Low-dose Abilify initially was effective but led to diminishing returns after only ten days. **Diagnostic Tests and Results**: I have undergone two comprehensive autoantibody panels, numerous blood tests, EEG, MRI, POTS tests, and a Covid spike protein assessment. The findings indicated significantly elevated levels of multiple antibodies, including those related to Strep A and various adrenergic receptors. Recent blood work data shows several marked abnormalities that raise concerns: |**Marker**|**Normal Range**|**Test Result**|**Date**|**Notes**| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |**TSH**|[0.3 - 4.2] mU/L|6.24 mU/L|10/2024| |**CRP**|[0-5] mg/L|7.8 mg/L|08/2025| |**Vitamin D**|[30-100] ng/mL|29.6 ng/mL|10/2024|Recent time spent in the Middle East raises questions.| My spike protein assessment points to a notable presence of potential Covid markers, with heightened autoantibodies potentially hinting at an immune reaction targeting ACE-2 receptors, potentially perpetuating inflammatory responses. **Final Thoughts and Requests for Input**: I have sought advice from many sources without definitive resolution. I'm entertaining the possibility of immunotherapy yet feel uncertain about this direction given the complexities of my case. I am ready to try anything to improve my situation as this condition has persisted with gradual changes over the years. I would truly appreciate any insight or guidance you might have regarding managing such a case. What approaches would you propose to assist a patient like me? Thank you for taking the time to read my story!
Deciding on Surgery for a Complete Proximal Hamstring Tear: Seeking Guidance
Greetings to all, At the age of 55, I suffered a significant injury four weeks back—a complete proximal hamstring tear located about 8 centimeters from where it detached from the bone. Since the injury, I've been undergoing physical therapy and can now manage to walk with relative ease. However, I'm faced with a dilemma regarding whether or not to pursue surgical intervention to reattach the tendon. After consulting with two different physicians, I received mixed messages. One doctor indicated that the choice rests entirely with me, even suggesting I seek insights from sources like chat GPT, whereas the other doctor recommended against surgery, encouraging me to stick to my physical therapy regimen. I find myself concerned about my weight and what that might mean for my health and mobility moving forward, regardless of the surgical route I choose. Has anyone here been in a similar position? Perhaps someone who experienced this type of injury two decades ago could share their journey and discuss whether they managed to maintain their mobility with or without surgical treatment? If you think additional details could help, feel free to ask!